Tottenham Hotspur vs. NK Maribor.

Three games and three draws are hardly the European statement that AVB was hoping to make, but though tonight isn't win or bust, it isn't too far away.

Spurs wont want to go into the final game against Panathinaikos needing three points to get out of the group, but you feel that they have to win this one or beat Lazio in Rome to be confident of making the knock out games, and though many of us don't particularly like the Europa league or its format, we don't want to exit the competition with our tail between our legs, especially when we have usually gone in with strong teams instead of kids or supposed deadbeats.

AVB's team selection is hampered yet again by a long list of key players, and tonight yet again see's Sandro, Dembele, Parker, Kaboul, BAE and possibly Gallas and Livermore unfit. the latter two may well just make it, though apparently Jake is training but isn't 100% and Gallas probably would have been rested anyway, but a hamstring pull may not make him worth the risk either way.

I suppose we will see Hugo Lloris tease the French nation with an all too brief appearance, but in defence, we again might only have five defenders for four places and it will be interesting to again see who AVB rests from Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen or Naughton, assuming Gallas is rested or not fit.

Personally, I am hopping that Jake Livermore is fit to partner Tom Huddlestone, as we need his bite in the middle without Parker or Sandro, who will hopefully be back for Man City on Sunday. Huddlestone works better with a high energy player alongside him and also should we not have Jake fit, I have serious reservations about who else we could put in and see us have any effective bite.

Some will opt for Vertonghen, but with so few fit defenders, can we afford to move him forward? others like Carroll and Sigurdsson lack the qualities we need for the position when playing alongside Hudd and I have also mentioned the idea of promoting someone like Dean Parrett into the starting XI, because he has the quality and also might well be a better positional selection than several others.

I would expect Emmanuel Adebayor to get his long awaited first start of the season, and as I wrote earlier in the week, I would hope this is the start of a run of games, that include his former clubs of City and Arsenal. what better games to make a statement and also make Jermain sweat for his place or perhaps even see the two paired together in preference to the so far misfiring Dempsey and Sigurdsson.

Another name I hope to see get a start is Iago Falque, who has impressed greatly in the few chances he has had and I feel he must surely deserve a start after his great display against Norwich last week. Whether this is to replace one of Lennon or Bale, or perhaps even make up a three with those two in place of one of our struggling new boys, time will tell.

Though I am not exactly bursting with confidence at winning this game, I do feel we have the quality to do so, if only we apply ourselves and play how we can. it seems that I am saying something very similar before every game, but until we get to a stage where we see some positive consistency, I feel I might be saying it for some time longer...

We can easily win if we play our youths... They have the energy and freshness to give us that spark! Play Pritchard who has been in very good form lately and the likes of Falque and Carroll. With Lloris in goal and Ade up front, should be hard to lose this unless we do something stupid like play a defensive formation at home...

The 1882 movement will be there tonight, so watch out for the positive support in The Shelf. So, no matter who's picked, get behind the team, and by that I don't mean clapping and cheering for no reason, I mean start encouraging the lads, even if things start slowly! COYS

''Nothing is easy in Football'' but sometimes you can make things easy for yourself, with this game, Panathinaikos also at home and Lazio away, winning all three would take us to the top of our group, that alone has to be the objective, for one it helps us avoid that 3rd placed team coming out of the champions league groups and the knock out stages don't start until the new year, giving us breathing space to have our long term injured players back, giving us a full fit squad again, i hope. What team will AVB put out, i feel a pretty strong one; Lloris has to start, but then he should also start vs Man City, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen, Lennon has been captain in this, so he will most likely start on the right, Bale on the left, he missed the away game, due to his wife giving birth, the tricky part is the central midfield, perm any two from 4, you would think, Sandro, but is he fit, Livemore, Huddlestone, Siggy our very own Faith, Hope and Charity, who fit's what, you can decide, on the egde is Thomas Carroll and Ryan Mason, but i would go with both Dempsey and Ade, both can inter change positions, Ade holds the ball up better and brings more team mates into the game, plus it would be interesting to see how this works, Defoe on the bench for me.

Personally i would play everyone who isn't going to start on Sunday. The Europa league, whilst still a good competition, shouldn't be our priority. We have three hard games coming up in the league and we need at least 5 points form those games to keep in touching distance of 4th. All it needs is an injury to Bale or Verts and that is us pretty much buggered!!! Give all the kids a run out!! I have a three and a six year old that could both play. The six year old is taller than Defoe anyway!!

The injuries we have at the moment have really cocked this up for AVB in terms on rotation.
This is the team I would like to see tonight:
Lloris,
Naughton, Caulker, Dawson, Townsend
Lennon, Huddlestone, Carrol/Livermore, Falque,
Adebayor, Defoe
and this team for Sunday:
Lloris
Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen,
Lennon, Sandro, Huddlestone, Bale,
Adebayor, Defoe

Play Brad for god’s sake, let Lloris play in the big game at the weekend. I don’t see why he can’t have a chance against Man City? It will be a tough game with either of the two, so it will be a good test for him as it’s a good team. I know I’m talking to a brick wall when I say that but it’s my opinion. Ade has to be in there tonight as well. Short of a late injury, I will be scratching my head as what he needs to do to get a start. Wouldn’t it be sweet if the big man goes out there, plays his socks off and bags a few goals for his efforts? Working hard for the team and showing he is hungry is more important to me thou. Vital minutes, match sharpness is all good and will give our coach something to take note off. AVB stick to your guns and play a few youngsters that others have mentioned. We will still have a chance to qualify, even if the EL is not my cup of tea. Good luck guys! COYBLFS.

If AVB is taking this seriously then he would need to start with something like Lloris - Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen - Hudd, Siggy - Bale, Dempsey, Lennon - Adebayor. I have a feeling though he will swap 2 or 3 out with players like Carroll and Falque.

i think lloris must start, and then he must start against city on the weekend and then so on and so on. I think a team of Lloris,walker, gallas, dawson, naughton - Hudd, Livermore, Carroll - Falque, Ade, Townsend... rest key players, give other players much needed game time with a good mix of youth and experience... hopefully (if they do play), gallas, livermore and walker step it up... and the whole of tottenham steps it up after that awful display vs wigan... and by tottenham i mean the players/manager/staff and fans etc.

Block D & SpursEagle, I hope you guys have a cracking evening tonight and, more importantly, I hope to God that the POISONOUS ATMOSPHERE is consigned to the pubs & bars, rather than being present at WHL, as has been the case pretty much since the first game of the season :-(..

SO2 - personally I'd play Lloris tonight and, if we win & have a positive showing from the team, play him again on Sunday. A win tonight could boost his confidence and, hopefully, provide the fuel that he needs to truly kick-start his career as THFC's number 1...

muttley - I'd start Gallas alongside Dawson, mate. Caulker is good BUT no way should he be expected to talk Dawson through the game which, let's face it, he's needed throughout his career with us. That's not a dig at Daws, it's merely an acknowledgement that, on the whole, he did better when he had Ledgeley telling him what to do. On Sunday play Vertonghen & Caulker in the CB positions & play Naughton at LB. That said, Walker NEEDS to get his act sorted, I think he's been nothing short of AWFUL this season.

coopsieyid - I hear you, some others it seems feels the same. I believe Brad will still have a big part to play this season as we have seen so far. He might need a lift himself! You guys are probably correct but i still thing Bard should get this nod this time, want him to keep a clean sheet and be ready for his next game. Hugo to start against Man city like you say, and i can see him having to dive all around like a cat! It will be a good test. COYS.

Team wise , could be quite tricky, for me it's hard to take all competitions seriously with the lack of depth we have, after selling so many players in the summer, this really is a must win game, but no more important than Sundays game, the only plus is we at home. I just hope we put a decent performance so we gain some kinda confidence, for both players and fans.

Yep i hear you SO2. I'm not having a pop at 'Bard' ;-) lol, he's done pretty well for us so far this season & made some truly crucial saves. However, I have a feeling that IF Lloris is between the sticks tonight, the supporters may actually 'support' for a change. IF Friedel is in goal tonight, I can see the supporters starting their moaning from the minute the team is announced.

CoopsieYid never thought i be so happy to see your name here again this site been so drab since you went that i started doing "work" at work than read Vital lol....What we need 2nite is what we have waited for all season come out the blocks from the whistle and just throw the kitchen sink at them. That has been the case at the Lane for the past couple of years, couple of early goals get the YID crowd behind the team and lets pummel Malibor COYMFS!!!

Thanks Jatt, sorry you had to do some 'work' lol. Don't worry though, I'm almost certain it won't be too long before you've got your claws out again, you weren't/aren't exactly the biggest fan of my opinion.

Coops - AVB has a plan, I can’t see it all, as no one can. I thought Lloris would be eased into the PL games fairly quickly, Brad making way...this isn't the case. They are both No1 atm with Brad still favoured for the PL. Ade over Defoe is probably a common one we are all getting wrong as well. These are a few of the reasons why some are getting their knickers in a twist. It seems all 4 players will be used a lot this term, so we need to keep them All fresh. I don't see a problem with Lloris starting tonight, but very much doubt he will play the Man city game regardless of how well he does. And I prefer him for that one! I’m resigned to the fact that AVB needs some time, at least a year and that we aren’t going to be clear about all of his ideas strait away. He is a top coach so want him to do well. I’m just hoping for a good run and a string of results to be fair but understand the sit with injuries etc. Top 4 is still very much on my mind thou, so a kick up the arse every now and again won’t go amiss.

Im no1s fan mate, just Spurs and im one of those optimistic look on the bright side of life fans so if i feel someone dissing the club or its players unjustly i will counter it, likewise if someone is talking postive about the club i will back them COYMFS!!!

Well you should be the most vocal on here then, by all accounts? I've been kept 'in the loop' on twitter by a few members of this site. Seems that the usual suspects have been doing nothing but moaning so far this season & can't see any good whatsoever in anything at all at our club. They've apparently been dishing out abuse & attacking anybody who is able to understand the blatantly obvious need for time & patience as we attempt to transform our club & take a different direction.

Yep SRV has been making some excellent posts in recent times. He TRULY understands where we're at, what we're seemingly trying to do, how we're missing vital players etc etc etc. Just a shame everybody is unable to acknowledge those factors & prefer to just criticise & moan without any foundation whatsoever, or any acknowledgement for the facts.

I'd like to see a very strong team sent out, to gain confidence and for me to see where we are in comparison to others.
Lloris
walker,dawson,caulker,vertonghen
lennon, livermore(falque),huddlestone, bale
adebayor
defoe
subs..friedel,naughton,gallas,falque(cellabos)
townsend,dempsey,siggurdsen
should be winning this game comfortably....i'll pred' 4-0.
"come on you spurs"

SpursEagle and Block D Good one. I can't make it but I will be shouting and cheering like a maniac at the computer screen tonight probably loud enough for the whole village to be able to hear me. Both of you give a shout for me tonight.

Coops not so sure about Gallas due to his hamstring pull on the weekend, it may be an idea to rest him. Getting very unsure about who to play between the sticks as well now. Lloris hasn't hit the ground running, but does need the game time so I'd probs go with him to see how he does and IF he plays a blinder then I'd give him the nod for citeh. All you boo boys please stay in the pubs or at home, we don't need that $hiot yet again, we need SUPPORT of the positive kind. So COME ON THE YID ARMY AND GET BEHIND THE TEAM BECAUSE WE ARE THE SPURS.

Coops not so sure about Gallas due to his hamstring pull on the weekend, it may be an idea to rest him. Getting very unsure about who to play between the sticks as well now. Lloris hasn't hit the ground running, but does need the game time so I'd probs go with him to see how he does and IF he plays a blinder then I'd give him the nod for citeh. All you boo boys please stay in the pubs or at home, we don't need that $hiot yet again, we need SUPPORT of the positive kind. So COME ON THE YID ARMY AND GET BEHIND THE TEAM BECAUSE WE ARE THE SPURS.

Whatever players make the team, we're not putting out a strong force, but to me for me the big question is why have we constantly got so many injured players. Isn't it time the powers that be looked into the training or physio to keep our players on the pitch?

SPUDMAN I thoiught AVB had brought his own physio team with him, sure I read that some where early on when he joined us. because they are supposed to be one of the best teams in Europe, there was a lot of noise about how quickly they can turn injured players around. Some things never seem to change though do they, we seem to have been plagued with injury problems for i can't remember how many years now.

A mixture of youth and experience should bode us well for this evening. If i were AVB (and how i would love to be), I would opt for this 'immense' starting line-up:
Lloris (who NOW is number one for the foreseeable future)
Naughton, Caulker, Dawson, Verts,
Thudd, Carroll,
Falque, Siggy, Bale,
Adebayor. Yes I appreciate it is a strong side but feel it is important to give the likes of Siggy a spell behind Adebayor as I feel that partnership could blossom. The likes of Townsend, Livermore to come off the bench or worst case scenario Lennon and Defoe. Got to have one eye on Sunday after last weeks debacle against Wigan!!

Back at the Lane tonight, I'v missed the last two games, looking forward to the game. This is my team: Lloris, Naughton, Walker, Caulker, Vertonghen, Huddlestone, Carroll, Falque, Lennon, Siggurdson, Adebayor. Whatever happens if I hear any boos around me fists will be flying. COYS.

I honestly don't care who's in goal tonight but I would like to see Falque or Ceballos get a run out, perhaps townsend to get some minutes as well and Ade to get some game time to sharpen him up...we need to start banging in some goals so I want us to go for the throat the whole game, moving the ball quickly and being incisive, relentless...COYS time to make it happen.

Hi Chris. Mate I'm not concerned about whether Gallas is Ok for Sunday. BBC reports that he's available for tonight, so, as I said in my earlier post, I'd play him alongside Dawson tonight, then play Vertonghen & Caulker as the CB pairing on Sunday. I have a feeling that City will play Dzeko against us, this worries me because Gallas tends to get 'raped' by the stronger strikers. Caulker will be buzzing now he's got a full call up to the England squad, it'd be in our best interests to take advantage of his high confidence :-)

SPUDMAN & chris - I think that you're both perhaps looking at our injuries from an 'old' point of view?. Our injuries over the last 4 years have, on the whole, ALL been muscle injuries, either strained or torn & all the same. ie calf, groin & hamstring. Those injuries smacked of a poor training regime, or poor warm up/warm down methods. I think chris is right about AVB having a VERY GOOD medical team, it's just that our injuries have, for once, actually been 'injuries', rather than preventable muscle strains etc.

Sandro - Calf/shin injury

Livermore - Ankle/foot injury

Adebayor - Back injury

Dembele - Hip/thigh injury (had this before even coming to us)

Bale - Heel injury

Naughton - Ankle/foot injury

Ekotto - Knee injury

Kaboul - Knee injury

Parker - Achilles Tendinopathy

See what I'm saying? These injuries are not only unpreventable, there's also pretty much no way that they can be healed [Edited by OxfordSpur]

The most important thing for me is that the team really go for it tonight and that the fans stay with the team to the end. I totally agree with Coopsie that we need Vertonghen and Caulker at centre back at the weekend so it has to be Dawson & Gallas tonight.
Congratulations to Stephen Caulker, a well deserved call up. Great to see a home grown player making it.

WTF? I'm not even trying to fix it & it seems to be getting worse. Is somebody else trying to fix it? Seriously, WTF did I do? Something to do with paragraphs I guess? Nothing like a guilty conscience on a match day to get you down :-(

chris - I don't 'know' he's available mate, I'm just going by what it says on BBC text. The actual words are "However, veteran defender William Gallas is available despite suffering a slight hamstring injury against Wigan"..

anyone else here have a spurs membership? (or spurs tv online)? Just watched a really interesting interview with Steffen Freund about the Maribor game, he said the usual about players training well and needing a good start and doing good shooting practice etc etc... but then he really emphasised how we need the crowd, and it looked like he really meant it. the crowd for the wigan game was disgraceful, i understand people should criticise but booing is not criticising, it's just detrimental slagging. If the fans got behind the team 100% for the whole game against Maribor we would see a completely different team. We should take note from German fans, whom i consider to be some of the best in the world... the amount of passion they have compared to English fans is incredible...